In 2010 Ms Fraczek was diagnosed with a form of breast cancer known as Ductal Carcinoma In Situ and so began her involvement in cancer research.

Today – International Clinical Trials Day – Ms Fraczek has decided to share her story.

“I decided to join a clinical trial, simply because I thought, well, I’m  on this journey and if I can help research and development, then I would do that,” Ms Fraczek, of East Maitland, said.

“It was an easy way of being part of something bigger and an easy way of helping future generations to have better access and better treatment.”

Following her diagnosis Ms Fraczek, 50, took part in the Newcastle-based TROG Cancer Research – one of the largest cancer clinical trial groups in Australia and New Zealand.

During the past 25 years TROG has launched more than 80 radiotherapy trials involving more than 13,200 patients and has achieved research breakthroughs in areas such as prostate, skin and oesophageal cancer.

As part of Ms Fraczek’s trial, researchers are looking for better ways to treat people with DCIS by testing whether an additional dose of radiation, called a “boost”, improves the chances of the cancer not returning to the breast.

“One of the things that made me want to take part in the trial was, two of my friends were both diagnosed with cancer, just before I was and neither of them are here anymore,” Ms Fraczek said.

“So even though it was a different cancer to the one I had, I felt I should do something because I owed it to them.

“I hope that by sharing my story, I can help other people realise that clinical trials are a really good thing to be part of. I believe that things come to challenge us in life and it’s not what you get, it’s how you deal with it that matters.”

The world’s first clinical trial took place in 1747.